Snap catch



Oct. 10, 1967 K. GAUPP 3,345,713

' SNAP CATCH Filed April 1l, 1966 /4 45 50 Je /f 8 52 INVENTOR. KURT GPP TTOP/VEY United States Patent O 3,345,713 SNAP CATCH Kurt Gaupp, Short Hills, NJ., assignor to Jacoby-Bender, Inc., Woodside, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 11, 1966, Ser. No. 541,651 18 Claims. (Cl. 24-239) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A snap catch with respect to which keys can be attached or detached by a simple push or pull, with a pull on one section of the catch removing the catch with the key and a pull on another section of the catch removing the catch from the key, the key-engaging loop being defined by first and second elements which are respectively resiliently urged into and out from a housing via one end thereof.

The present invention relates to a snap catch designed to reliably hold external elements and permit them to be readily attached or detached.

There are many applications where a catch having the above characteristics is desired. Purely by Way of example, mention may be made of a keychain or keyholder, and in particular such a device where some keys are designed to be more or less permanently attached thereto but other keys are designed to be readily removed therefrom (for example, where a house key and automobile trunk key are designed to be permanently attached to the holder, while the automobile ignition key is designed to be readily detached therefrom, so that the latter alone can be left in the car, thereby permitting the car to be parked `in a garage without giving the garage attendants access to the trunk, where valuable objects may be stored). A device of this type is also useable in connection with items of ornamental nature, such as necklaces, bracelets, watchbands and the like, where chain ends are to be reliably secured to one another, thereby preventing the chain from falling 0H from the wearer, while at the same time permitting ready detachment of one end of the chain so that the necklace or bracelet can be taken olf from or putback on the wearer.

One prime requirement of devices of this type isthat they reliably hold the attached parts together even when appreciable external forces are exerted tending to separate those parts. Another prime requirement is that the parts be capable of being attached with as great facility as is possible, and that they be capable of being detached when desired without requiring any particularly complex or difficult manipulations.

It is further highly desirable that such devices be readily manufacturable at minimal expense, that they have a high degree of strength and reliability, and that they have a nonfunctional appearance so that they may either blend into the ornamental appearance of the device with which they are used or else impart their own distinctive ornamental appearance thereto.

The prime object of the present invention is to devise a snap catch which satisfies the above requirements and which, in particular, strongly resists separation of the attached object, permits attachment of that object with the utmost speed and simplicity of manipulation, and permits ready detachment of that object, all by means of 'a simple, inexpensive and reliable structure.

To that end the `structure here disclosed comprises a housing within which first and second elements are slidably received, those elements having parts which extend out from the housing in a given direction and which collectively define an openable loop. One of the elements is resiliently urged into the housing vand the other of the 3,345,713 Patented Oct. 10, 1967 ICC elements is resiliently urged out from the housing, t0 the end that their respective outwardly extending parts normally produce a closed loop. To cause an external object to be engaged by the loop the outwardly-urged element is moved inwardly, either through special manual manipulation or by exerting pressure thereon by the object to be attached. This opens the loop, the object to be attached is engaged with the open loop, and the inwardly positioned element is released, said element then snapping out and closing the loop. To detach an external object the housing is held stationary and the element which is normally resiliently urged inwardly relative thereto is manually moved outwardly, the normally outwardly urged element remaining stationary relative to the housing. This opens the loop and permits the object to be disengaged. When objects are to be attached to opposite ends of the catch, the object at the other end thereof from the loop is secured to a part connected directly to the resiliently inwardly urged element. Hence tensions exerted between the two objects (eg. the ends of a bracelet chain or the like) are strongly resisted by the unitary structure of that element and do not tend to open the catch. However, if the object to be detached is pulled While the housing is held, the loop will open and the object may be readily detached.

To the accomplishment of the above, and to such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to a snap catch construction as defined in the appended claims and as described in this specication, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a top plan view of one embodiment of the present invention as embodied in a catch for securing together the ends of a bracelet chain or the like;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the present invention as embod-iedin a key ring;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lineA FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 6 6 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a View similar to FIG. 5 and illustrating one manner in which an external device may be engaged with the catch; and

FIG. S is a view similar to FIG. 5 illustrating how an external device may be disengaged from the catch.

While the invention is here specilically disclosed as embodied in a clasp for an ornamental cha-in such as a bracelet or the like (FIGS. 1 and 3) and as embodied in a keyholder (FIGS. 2 and 5 8), it will be apparent that these are but exemplary of the many uses to which the catch of the present invention `may be put. The only signiiicant dilerence in construction between the bracelet clasp embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 and the keyholder of the other gures is that the -former is curved whereas the latter is essentially planar; otherwise the parts are essentially the same and function in substantially the same manner. Accordingly, the same reference numerals will be applied to corresponding parts in the bracelet clasp embodiment and in the keyholder embodiment.

, The catch comprises a housing generally designated 2 having a top wall 4, bottom wall 6 and side Walls 8 and 10.

. It is open at its ends 12 and 14. Within the housing 2 are and the element 18 having a straight part 22 extending therefrom outwardly through the open tube end 12, the two parts 20 and 22 together defining a loop. When the parts 20 and 22 are positioned as shown in FIG. 5 they define a closed loop; when they are relatively positioned as shown in FIGS. 7 or 8 they deline a loop with an opening 24 through which an external object, such as the apertured end link 26 of an ornamental chain 28 or the apertured head 30 of a key 32, may be secured. The element 16 also has a part 34 extending therefrom out through the open tube end 14, there being provided with an aperture 36 to which some other external object, such as the end link 38 of the chain or the link 40 attached to a key ring 42, may be more or less permanently secured.

The element 16 comprises a body portion 44 which extends along and is generally contiguous with the inner surface of the tube 2, the body portion 44, at its left hand corner as viewed in FIG. 5, being narrowed at 46 so as to define a ledge 48, the tube side wall 8 being provided with an inwardly protrusion 50 which slides within the narrowed portion 46 and is adapted to engage with the shoulder 48, thereby functioning as a positive stop limiting the movement of the element 16 to the left as viewed in FIG. (inwardly into the housing 2 relative to the loop portion 20).

. The element 18 has a body portion 52 extending along and substantially contiguous to the side wall 10 of the tube 2, the body portion 52 lbeing provided, adjacent the tube end 12, with a narrowed portion 54 defining a ledge 5,6, the tube wall 10 being provided with an inner protrusion 58 which slides within the narrowed portion 54 and is adapted to engage the ledge 56, thereby constituting a positive stop limiting movement of the element 18 to the right as Viewed in FIG. 5 (outwardly of the housing 2 relative to the loop part 22). The body portion 52 of the element 18 has an upwardly extending arm 60 adjacent the end 12 of the tube 2, the body portion 44 of the element 16 riding along the upper surface 62 of the arm 60. The body portion 44 of the element 16 has a downwardly extending arm 64, the body portion 52 of the element 18 riding over the lower surface 66 of the arm 64. The outwardly extending portion 34 of the element 16 may be integral with the arm 64, as disclosed. A spring 68 is compressed between the arms 60 and 64, the spring 68 being active to move the element 16 into the housing 2 and against the stop 50 and also being active to move the element 18 out from the housing 2 and against the stop 58.

As will be apparent from FIGS. 5, 7 and 8, the loop part 22 carried by the element 18 is disposed at least in part laterally beyond the tip 70 of the hook portion 20 carried by the element 16, and the tip of the part 22 is provided with a step 72.

As has been indicated, the portion 34 is designed to be more or less permanently secured to an external object such as the end link 38 or the link 40. The loop defined by the parts and 22 is designed for readily detachable and attachable engagement with another external object, such as the chain end link 26 or the key 32. In order to attach the last mentioned external object to the catch, and as shown in FIG. 7, the housing 2 is grasped, and the element 18 is moved inwardly into the housing 2, against the action of the spring 68, thereby opening the loop and permitting the external object to be engaged therewith. After that has been done the element 18 is released, the spring 68 snaps it back to its outer position against the stop 58, and the loop is closed. Loop-opening pressure may be readily exerted on the element 18 by pressing the external object 26 against the tip of the loop part 22, and particularly against the stepped portion 72 thereof, as indicated in FIG. 7. When such pressure is exerted in the direction of the arrow 74 in FIG. 7, the element 18 will be moved into the housing 2 as indicated and the configuration of the step 72 will cam or guide the external element 26 upwardly through the loop opening 24 so as to engage with the loop portion 20. As

soon as it has thus moved, it will disengage itself from the stepped surface 72 at the tip of the part 22, and the spring 68 will then snap the element 18 back against the stop 58, thus closing the loop.

With the loop closed, if tension is exerted between the external objects attached to the portion 34 and the loop 20, 22, as indicated by the arrows 76 in FIG. 5, those tensions will be strongly resisted, and will be opposed by the unitary strength of the element 16. Thus there will be no tendency for the catch to open, and the tensional forces will be reliably contained.

When it is desired to detach the external object from the loop 20, 22, and as indicated in FIG. 8,'all that need be done is to grasp the housing 2 and pull the external object in the direction of the arrow 78 of FIG. 8. This will cause the element 16 to move out from the housing 2, against the action of the spring 68, thus producing the loop opening 24 through which the external object may readily be drawn. As soon as the external object has disengaged itself from the loop part 20, the spring 68 will snap the element 16 back against the stop 50, closing the loop.

The spring 68 is closely contained in position between the upper and lower tube walls 4 and 6, the body portion 44 and 52 of the elements 16 and 18 respectively, and the arms 60 and 64 of the elements 18 and 16 respectively; it therefore will perform its desired functions accurately and reliably. The elements 16 and 18 may readily be formed from sturdy sheet material, each guides the movement of the other, and both are guided by the side and end walls of the housing 2. Thus the structure is simple and inexpensive, but highly eective and exceptionally strong.

When the construction of the present invention is ernbodied in an ornamental bracelet or as part of a keyholder, one of its major advantages is that the housing 2 for the catch can be made small enough so as not to materially affect the overall appearance of the device or can be made large enough as to constitute a significant factor in the appearance of the device. Indeed the bracelet embodiment specifically illustrated is of a so-called identification" bracelet, the housing 2 being of agsize, and its top wall 4 being of a character, such that appropriate legends may be engraved thereon. Thus the housing tube 2 defines the identification-carrying portion of the bracelet, and at the same time functions to provide for separation and attachment of the bracelet ends. The housing 2 in the keyholder embodiment may be similarly characterized, and it, too, can carry identifying indicia. Obviously, such ornamentation as is desired might also be applied to the housing 2, in order to produce any desired ornamental effect.

While but a limited number of embodiments of the present invention are here specifically disclosed, it will be apparent that many variations may be made herein, all within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A catch comprising a housing, first and second elements slidably received in said housing and having parts extending therefrom in a given direction, resilient means acting on said rst element to urge said part thereof into said housing and resilient means acting on said second element to urge said part thereof out from said housing, said element parts defining an openable loop external of said housing, means operative on said first element for limiting its movement into said housing, and means operative on said second element for limiting its movement out of said housing.

2. The catch of claim 1, in which said opposable part of said second element includes a portion extending laterally beyond the opening part of said first element, whereby pressure on said portion toward said housing is adapted to cause said second element to move into said housing, thereby opening said loop.

3. The catch of claim 2, in which said resilient means acting on said rst element and said resilient means acting on said second element comprise a spring compressed between said elements.

4. The catch of claim 2, in which said first element has a part extending from said housing in a direction opposite to said given direction, and means on said part for attachment thereof to an external member.

5. The catch of claim 2, in which said opposable part of said first element comprises a hook having an open side, and said opposable part of said second element cornprises a closure for said open side of said hook.

6. The catch of claim 2, in which said resilient means acting on said first element and said resilient means acting on said second element comprise a spring compressed between said elements, said first element having a part extending from said housing in a direction opposite to said given direction, and means on said part for attachment thereof to an external member.

7. The catch of claim 2, in which said resilient means acting on said first element and said resilient means acting on said second element comprise a spring compressed between said elements, said opposable part of said first element comprising a hook having an open side, and said opposable part of said second element comprising a closure for said open side of said hook.

8. The catch of claim 2, in which said first element has a part extending from said housing in a direction opposite to said given direction, and means on said part for attachment thereof to an external member, said opposable part of said first element comprising a hook having an open side, and said opposable part of said second element comprising a closure for said open side of said hook.

9. The catch of claim 2 in which said resilient means acting on said first element and said resilient means acting on said second element comprise a spring compressed between said elements, said first element having a part extending from said housing in a direction opposite to said given direction, and means on said part for attachment thereof to an external member, said opposable part of said first element comprising a hook having an open side, and said opposable part of said second element comprising a closure for said open side of said hook.

10. The catch of claim 1, in which said resilient means acting on said first element and said resilient means acting on said second element comprise a spring compressed between said elements.

11. The catch of claim 10, in which said first element has a part extending from said housing in a direction opposite to said given direction, and means on said part for attachment thereof to an external member.

12. The catch of claim 10, in which said opposable part of said first element comprises a hook having an open side, and said opposable part of said second element comprises a closure for said open side of said hook.

13. The catch of claim 10, in which said first element has a part extending from said housing in a direction opposite to said given direction, and means on said part for attachment thereof to an external member, said opposable part of said first element comprising a hook having an open side, and said opposable part of said second element comprising a closure for said open side of said hook.

14. The catch of claim 1, in which said first element has a part extending from said housing in a direction opposite to said given direction, and means on said part for attachment thereof to an external member.

15. The catch of claim 1, in which said opposable part of said first element comprises a hook having an open side, and said opposable part of said second element comprises a closure for said open side of said hook.

16. The catch of claim 1, said housing having opposed open ends, said elements normally closing said ends, said first and second elements extending from one of said ends, said spring means being positioned between said elements, said element parts being opposable, said opposable part of said first element comprising a hook having an open side and said opposable part of said second element comprising a closure for said open side of said hook which has an end portion extending laterally beyond the tip of said hook and shaped to define a guide into said hook from the extremity thereof, whereby pressure on said end portion toward said housing by an external member is adapted to cause said second element to move into said housing, thereby opening said hook and causing said member to enter said hook, said member being subsequently releasable from the hook upon an outward pull in said direction against said hook while said housing is restrained from movement, said pull causing said first element and associated hook to move laterally a sufficient distance beyond the hook closure extremity to open said hook.

17. A catch comprising a housing, a first element extending from said housing in a given direction and defining a hook having an open side, a second element extending from said housing to a position closing said hook, said second element being movable into said housing, resilient means active on said second element to urge it out from said housing, said second element having a portion defining an end surface extending to a point laterally beyond the tip of said hook and shaped to define a guide into said hook from externally thereof, whereby pressure on said surface by an external member toward said housing is adapted to cause said second element to move into said housing, thereby opening said hook, and to cause said member to enter said hook.

18. The catch of claim 17, in which said first element has a part extending from said housing in a direction opposite to said given direction, and means on said part for attachment thereof to an external member.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,201,175 10/1916 Grunewald 24-238 1,662,628 3/1928 Augensfein. 2,701,402 2/1955 Foster. 2,989,862 6/1961 Segal.

FOREIGN PATENTS 21,867 1905 Great Britain.

242,909 11/1946 switzerland.

695,456 8/1940 Germany.

DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner.

Patent No. 3,345,713 October 10, 1967 KuTt Gaupp ars in the above identified It is certified that error appe eby corrected as patent and that said Letters Patent are her shown below:

Column 4, line 68, after '70, "the opening" should read said after "said" cano'el "opposable".

"said" cancel "opposab1e"; lr Column 5, line i Signed and sealed this 2nd day of September 1969.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JB

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

1. A CATCH COMPRISING A HOUSING, FIRST AND SECOND ELEMENTS SLIDABLY RECEIVED IN SAID HOUSING AND HAVING PARTS EXTENDING THEREFROM IN A GIVEN DIRECTION, RESILIENT MEANS ACTING ON SAID FIRST ELEMENT TO URGE SAID PART THEREOF INTO SAID HOUSING AND RESILIENT MEANS ACTING ON SAID SECOND ELEMENT TO URGE SAID PART THEREOF OUT FROM SAID HOUSING, SAID ELEMENT PARTS DEFINING AN OPENABLE LOOP EXTERNAL OF SAID HOUSING, MEANS OPERATIVE ON SAID FIRST ELEMENT OF LIMITING ITS MOVEMENT INTO SAID HOUSING, MEANS OPERATIVE ON SAID SECOND ELEMENT FOR LIMITING ITS MOVEMENT OUT OF SAID HOUSING. 